Hablar: to speak, to talk
Pronunciation: ah-BLAHR (stress the capital letters)
Hablar means “to speak, to talk” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to speak, to talk
- How to say it: ah-BLAHR
- Present: yo hablo, tú hablas
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “hablar” means and how to use it
Hablar means “to speak” or “to talk.” It is used for languages, phone calls, and conversations.
How to conjugate “hablar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | hablo | I |
| tú | hablas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | habla | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | hablamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | hablan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo hablé, él habló | I / he or she |
| Past participle | hablado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Hablo inglés y español.I speak English and Spanish.
- ¿Puedes hablar más despacio?Can you speak more slowly?
- Hablamos por teléfono todos los días.We talk on the phone every day.
Usage tip
Languages need no article after hablar: hablo español, not “hablo el español.” Use “hablar con” for the person you talk to.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to speak, to talk” in Spanish?
“to speak, to talk” in Spanish is “hablar.” It is pronounced ah-BLAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “hablar”?
Say ah-BLAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “hablar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “hablé” and “él” is “habló.” The past participle is “hablado.”
Practice “hablar” for free
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